Shotokai College

I arrived at Bedford for Summer Camp 2011 feeling physically fit, excited and ready. Well, ok then, there was also that little bit of ‘healthy’ apprehension!

As we had been talking so much about The Peaceful Way since Spring Camp, I was really looking forward to spending the week exploring further what this really means in reality. I didn’t have to wait very long. The very first practice bounced straight into it with such strength and energy, it was hard to see how we would get through six days! A three hour practice, much of it spent practising Godan to music. Completely absorbed in the moment – one mind, no mind, doing not done, peaceful yet powerful. I could not see the people behind me in the kata but I knew instinctively we were completely in tune, connected and in the moment. When a new person was introduced to the group I could feel the whole group working together to connect with the new person, and the new person connected and joined it seemed effortlessly. When a group of people perform a kata, each putting everything they have into the kata – mind, body and emotion, a wonderful, elegant dance emerges. This must be The Peaceful Way?

‘The Spirit of the Dojo’ – what a powerful message this turned out to be for all of us. The realisation that we are the spirit of the dojo, we create the spirit, the energy and the discipline, sharing our knowledge and helping each other to develop – often without need for words. This must be The Peaceful Way?

As we lined up for the Shinai Seigan I reminded myself of the practices leading up to this moment, the learning, the state, the energy, the messages. I took my position. As I was attacked I realised how much time I had to react, so much time. It was almost as if the person attacking was attacking in slow motion. As the Seigan continued some people were attacking me faster than others, some closer, some heavier but each time I had so much time to defend, to impact their body. This must be The Peaceful Way?

Colin called me out with a shinai – I had no idea what he was going to do, or what he expected me to do, so I just went with it. Colin lifted his shinai to attack just as I lifted my shinai to defend – perfect movement, connection, harmony and elegance. I knew it was a special moment, and I could tell Colin knew because he smiled. This must be The Peaceful Way?

As we sat in the pub that evening discussing the days practice, comfortable and relaxed in the company of the group, sharing our learning, laughing and enjoying the moment, I was reminded how blessed I am to be a part of this community. This must be The Peaceful Way?

Now, as I look back on a truly magnificent Summer Camp I think I finally understand. The Peaceful Way is not one or the other of anything – it is not a description for some of the things we do or say. It is what we are, who we are, what we practice, it is us.

Summer Camp 2011 was an amazing experience for everyone who was there. At the end of an intense week the following were awarded new gradings.

Pav Ahsan – 2nd Kyu

Robert Dellner – 1st Kyu
Dawn Fear – 1st Kyu

John Dagnall – 1st Dan
Kevin Keeble – 1st Dan

Francesca Sales – 2nd Dan

Pal Kalsi – 3rd Dan
Simmi Kalsi – 3rd Dan
Janine Eardley – 3rd Dan
Lorraine Tapper – 3rd Dan

Paul Waters – 4th Dan
Annette Nethercott – 4th Dan
Emma Coventry – 4th Dan
Daniel Eastwood – 4th Dan

David Hollinshead – 5th Dan
Donna Chilvers – 5th Dan
Don Chidede – 5th Dan

The first two days of summer Camp 2011 proved very interesting.

I‘m never late, it just never happens. The concept of being fashionably late to a gathering is alien to me. But there I was late for the start up workshop and the first practice in a rubbish state of mind as a consequence and the week had barely begun.

Then there were the programme deviations. I like to know where I stand and to be able to plan ahead, so when that was taken away from me with the extended practices on days one and two I found it extremely difficult to cope. It all came to a head when Don and I started off what turned out to be an extremely draining series of Godan katas where the group gradually joined in with the kata in ones and twos until all of us were taking part. I remember Don estimating that we had done around forty consecutive katas and after that we formed into smaller groups to practice it some more! What I took away from these sessions however was priceless and I know that the next time I am dehydrated, feeling sick and thinking that I’m about to keel over any time soon I still can find a bit more to give.

I was struck throughout the week by the intensity of every ones’ practice. Thanks to Colin, the College now has a very powerful message to give, but while the word peaceful admirably describes a way of living one’s life it needn’t be taken literally in terms of how you practice. During practice throughout the week I experienced the most wonderfully honest and genuine interactions with people but no quarter was given or taken and that led me to improve immeasurably.

The beginning of the last practice summed up the ethos of the week for me. Colin’s voice echoing around the Dojo, “ Run round! Come on knees up, put some effort into it! “ Even at that stage when it would have been easy to slacken off and wind down but we were encouraged to focus and put our last reserves of effort in. It seemed purgatory at the time, but how lucky we were to have been there.

In testament to the benefits I have gained by practising karate with the Shotokai College, at the Gala Dinner I stood up and made a speech. It may not have been to Obama’s standards and I forgot half of what I had intended to say, but the point is I did it and three years ago wild horses wouldn’t have dragged me out there.

My thanks go to Colin, Donna, Karen and Don for organising such a superb week and to everyone who helped my learning to go still further onwards.